Meanwhile, at Sakonji Urokodaki's home on Mount Sagiri.
Sakonji Urokodaki, who had been sitting quietly by the stream fishing, suddenly let out an earth-shattering sneeze without warning.
"Ah-choo!!!"
The sneeze was so powerful that it was as though a gale had sprung up out of nowhere.
His entire body lurched forward, and the powerful blast instantly sent the red Tengu Mask secured at his chin flying.
Urokodaki: "..."
He steadied himself, narrowly avoiding plunging into the stream, and blankly touched his face, which suddenly felt a little cool.
Puzzled, he stood, walked over, and bent down to retrieve the mask, now speckled with bits of grass, before putting it back on properly.
He scratched his mask-covered head in confusion, his weathered eyes full of bewilderment.
Muttering softly, he could make no sense of it. "How strange... The breeze by the stream was a little cool while I was fishing yesterday, but surely not enough to catch such a chill? That sneeze..."
He instinctively pulled his collar tighter and looked toward the distant mountains where the Swordsmith Village lay, feeling an inexplicable prickling down his back.
The view returned to the Swordsmith Village.
The villager guiding Kirishima Bupai brought him to a quiet, elegant tearoom.
The room was furnished simply in an antique style, its bamboo blinds half rolled up. Beyond the window lay a carefully tended courtyard with pleasant scenery.
Soon, the villagers nervously served a lavish meal and fine wine.
The bowls and chopsticks were exquisite, and the dishes steamed with heat. They had clearly done their utmost to entertain this honored guest.
Kirishima Bupai settled comfortably before the low table.
He raised his chopsticks elegantly and tentatively picked up a few of the lightest-looking seasonal vegetables and side dishes, bringing them to his lips to taste.
However, the